Pharmaceutical formulations and use thereof in the prevention of stroke, diabetes and/or congestive heart failure

Abstract

The present invention relates to use of an inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, such as ramipril or ramiprilat, in the prevention of stroke, diabetes and/or congestive heart failure (CHF).

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for reducing the risk of onset of congestive heart failure in a patient not previously having congestive heart failure and who has an essentially maintained heart function, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of at least one ACE inhibitor chosen from ramipril, ramiprilat, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of ramipril, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of ramiprilat,
 wherein the patient is a human who exhibits normal or low blood pressure, and   wherein the patient has a history of previous ischaemic heart disease, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease, or wherein the patient has diabetes.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is ramiprilat. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is ramipril. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of ramiprilat. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of ramipril. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is administered in an amount from about 1 mg to about 100 mg. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is administered in an amount from about 0.1 mg to about 100 mg/day. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is administered in an amount from about 1 mg to about 50 mg/day. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is administered in a tablet. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is administered in a capsule. 
     
     
         28 . A method for reducing the risk of death from at least one cardiovascular cause in a patient not previously having congestive heart failure and who has an essentially maintained heart function, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of at least one ACE inhibitor chosen from ramipril, ramiprilat, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of ramipril, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of ramiprilat,
 wherein the patient is a human who exhibits normal or low blood pressure, and   wherein the patient has a history of previous ischaemic heart disease, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease or wherein the patient has diabetes.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is ramiprilat. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is ramipril. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of ramiprilat. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of ramipril. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is administered in an amount from about 1 mg to about 100 mg. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is administered in an amount from about 0.1 mg to about 100 mg/day. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is administered in an amount from about 1 mg to about 50 mg/day. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is administered in a tablet. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the ACE inhibitor is administered in a capsule.